Weather, Whether or Not
By Chris Chin, Jonquiere Quebec

According to Environment Canada, up here, Canadians
buy more Weather Trivia Calendars than PlayBoy Calendars.

I wonder if this is a reflection of the "politically correct"
nature of us Canuks, or just a simple fact of living in a
place where local weather has a profound impact on our day
to day activities.

I mean, I'll change plans depending on the weather. I much
prefer driving to Quebec City during a snow storm at night.
I know that I'll have the road all to myself and that the
white outs occur after the snow has stopped falling
and the cold front moves in.

We also like to time our trout fishing so we can be on the
river just before a trough moves in. It seems as if the
change in weather can make a difference. This does mean
that our outing will always end cold, windy and usually
rainy weather though.

Of course, there's nothing better (imho) than a day on
the river in a constant drizzle following several days
of dry hot weather. (Boris brought 18 salmon to hand
this past season jumping opportunities like that). The
water cools off some, the level rises and the salmon
will often start to move.

Does this mean that we are Full Contact Fly Fishers? Well,
in a sense, probably. We certainly don't chase after misery
though.

As in the pursuit of any outdoor activity, a bit
of planning and the proper equipment can mean the difference
between enduring an outing versus really enjoying
your time. How do we go about this? Here's my top 10 list:

1. Keep dry! In all seasons, this means we use
"Gore-Tex" or breathable fabrics in all our stuff from
waders to jackets to hats. These materials help us to
keep cool in the summer and more importantly, in cool
or cold weather, the insulating layers underneath will
stay dry.

2. Wear layers of clothing. In warm weather, you can
peel off layers to better regulate temperature and wick
moisture away. In cold weather, the layers will trap more
air, insulating you better from the elements.

3. Get a good night's rest. The night before your trip
of a Lifetime, forget it, you will not sleep well. That's
not really a problem. Just try to relax anyway. Even if
you don't really sleep, you will gain energy (except at
extreme altitudes).

4. Drink lots (of water). In hot weather, this is an
obvious recommendation. In cold weather, it's just as
important so that your body can function properly. We
often use sports drinks that have been diluted 50% to
keep up electrolytes.

5. Cotton is not always the best material for clothing.
A cotton t-shirt under a shirt can help to wick moisture
away in warm weather. Unfortunately, cotton takes a heck
of a long time to dry. In cool weather, I have never worn
cotton next to my skin. Further, I have never found a
useful application for jeans while out of doors.

6. Eat well. This means before and during an activity.
A standard logger's breakfast is good as it has fat,
complex carbs and very little sugar. Eating well usually
means a good breakfast, especially in hot weather. During
the day, if it's hot, snack on easily digestible stuff
like bagels, soups, pasta. In cold weather, eat often.

Preparing lunch for friends on the beach

7. Wear a hat. A good hat will keep the sun off your head,
face and the back of your neck in warm weather and keep heat
in during cold weather outings. We use wide brimmed
cracked wax hats in all seasons.

Dressed for the weather - We rotated on the #8 on a cold October morning
(and made a small camp fire on the beach too)

8. Bring spare clothes. In hot humid weather, it is an
utter pleasure to put on a clean fresh shirt at noon or
at the end of the day. In cold weather, a change of clothes
can mean the difference between a quick change or a miserable
trip home after a quick "dip" in the river.

9. In all weather, stay away from alcohol and caffeine.
They will both dehydrate you. In cold weather, they will
also lead to core temperature cooling.

10. Finally, go slow. This is supposed to be fun and
relaxing. So have fun. Take time out to snap a few pictures
or explore the trail up behind the lake. Make a (small) camp
fire to warm up and let the pool rest. Relax and prepare a
real meal instead of cold sandwiches.

Caroline and Peter - Taking a break waiting for the wind to die off

Over the off season, when we look back over the past summer's
journal, those days which were less than postcard perfect
seem like rites of passage. How many times have you sat
back with fellow anglers and looked back on those "extreme"
days? Were you miserable? Or were you prepared and had a
blast getting regular hits in less than perfect conditions?

We don't all have the chance to pick and choose the time
and date of our fishing. Some of you will plan trips months,
even years in advance. Once you get there, no matter what
the conditions, a bit of preparation can help to make the
most of any time on the water. (and any time on the
water is better than time at work). ~ Chris

About Chris:

Chris Chin is originally from Kamloops,
British Columbia. He has been fly fishing
on and off ever since he was 10 years old.
Chris became serious about the sport within
the last 10 years.

"I'm a forest engineer by day and part time
guide on the Ste-Marguerite River here in
central Quebec. I've been fishing this river
for about 10 years now and started guiding
about 5 years ago when the local guide's
association sort of stopped functioning."

Chris guides mostly for sea run brook trout
and about 30% of the time for Atlantic Salmon.
"I often don't even charge service fees, as
I'm more interested in promoting the river
than making cash. I like to get new comers
to realize that salmon fishing is REALLY for
anyone who cares to try it. Tradition around
here makes some of the old clan see Salmon
fishing as a sport for the rich. Today our
shore lunches are less on the cucumber sandwich
side and more toward chicken pot pie and Jack
Daniel's."

Chris is 42 years old as of this writing. He
is of Chinese origin although his parents were
born and raised in Jamaica. He has a girlfriend,
Renée. "She and her 12 year old son Vincent
started fly fishing with me in October 2002."